Craziest July 4th Celebration Ever?

While millions enjoy fireworks and cookouts this July 4th holiday, six teams of players with nicknames like Perceptor, Havok and Gumby Jones will compete in a test of stamina, playing over forty games of laser tag at eight centers around Lake Erie.

The Armageddon Laser Tag competition will begin in Warren, Ohio on Friday, July 1. The tour works it way around Lake Erie, including stops in Canada. There are eight stops over four days concluding in the Cleveland area on Monday, July 4.

The tournament is hosting its sixth competition. Players from England, Sweden and Canada will join U.S. teammates this year.

This is a unique opportunity for dedicated laser taggers. Most players excel only at their home center and equipment. With 8 different locations, equipment and rules, the champions of this tournament must excel in a variety of situations.

“People don’t realize how different the centers are. It’s like playing rugby in the morning and then playing American football that evening,” noted tournament founder Ricky Vega, who plays as “Dark Angel.”

To play laser tag, teams wear computerized vests lit with LEDs. Players fire their science-fiction style phasers to tag opposing players in large mazes filled with fog and lit with blacklights. Players who are tagged lose points and are deactivated for a short time. The intense competition leads to rapid movements of ducking, leaning and spinning known as “dancing” to the competitors.

Laser tag celebrated it’s 20th year anniversary in 2004. The first center opened in Dallas in 1984. Today, there are over 650 laser tag facilities in North America. The recreational activity has grown into a sport with both indoor and outdoor play. The activity is popular primarily with players ages 7 through 25, although older adults and corporate groups are playing for fun in larger numbers.

“Early on, some people thought laser tag was a fad, but with many facilities enjoying their best year ever— laser tag is here to stay ,” commented entertainment industry author, Jason Bock (a three-year tournament veteran playing as The Baron with his son Baby Baron).

With the large number of games, the tournament is limited to six diverse eight-player teams. Players board a tour bus to drive to each new center. These competitive players range in age from 12 to 45.

“Virtually anybody can play competitive laser tag. It’s easy to understand,” said George Raptis, tournament director and six-year player.

The tournament moves every two years. Previous tournaments have been held in Texas and the Philadelphia-Baltimore area. This is the last year for the tournament around Lake Erie. Next year the tournament is moving to Denver, Colorado for a two-year run.

This year, the tournament is proud to be sponsored by equipment manufacturer LASERTRON, Inc.

Tournament Schedule:

Friday, July 1, 2005

8 am - 12 pm
Jester's Court
3924 Youngstown Rd SE
Warren, OH, USA
330-369-2687

3 pm - 8 pm
LASERTRON
5101 N. Bailey
Amherst, NY, USA
716-833-8766


Saturday, July 2

8:30 am - 11 am
Laser Quest
149 Carling St.,
London, ON, Canada
519-660-6000

6 pm - 10 pm
Cosmo City
176 Dundas Street,
London, ON, Canada
519-432-1107


Sunday, July 3

10 am - 3 pm
Laser Edge
35335 S. Gratiot Ave.,
Clinton Township, MI, USA
586-791-5560

5 pm - 9 pm
Q-Zar
5836 Monroe St.
Sylvania, OH, USA
419-885-3460


Monday, July 4

11 am - 3 pm
Acres of Fun
3889 Friendsville Rd.
Wooster, OH, USA
330-345-4386

4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Laser XTreme
13409 Smith Rd.
Middleburg Heights, OH, USA
440-842-6044


More information about the tournament can be found at www..a20xx.com.